Picardy Spaniel vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The name ‘Boerboel’ is derived from an Afrikaans/Dutch word, and the large Boerboel dog from South Africa has been specifically bred to be a farmer’s dog. Bred also to be a strong guard dog, the Boerboel is a mix of different African and European breeds, which in all likelihood, will include the Bullmastiff, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Bulldog. These dogs were used to hunt baboon and leopard.

There is some information that suggests that the Boerboel was brought to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. Other information suggest that the dog is a descendant of the old Boer Hund, a powerful animal which was invaluable to the farmer.

In was in January 2010, that the American Boerboel Club was elected as the AKC’s Parent Club. The Boerboel was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class in the Working dog group.

The Picardy Spaniel hails from France and has always been used as a gundog, having been crossed with different British hunting dogs.

While this dog breed is related to the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the Picardy is the older of the two breeds. It has always been sought after by the French nobility for its hunting skills and the fact that its weather resistant coat allowed it to hunt in all kinds of weather conditions.

The dog’s popularity waned in the early 20th century. The UKC have recognized the Picardy Spaniel as a Gun Dog and the breed has also been accepted within the FCI as a Pointing dog group.

Looks

The Boerboel is a big, strong dog with powerful muscles. His height is between 61 – 66cm. He is similar looking to the Boxer dog, just heavier and bigger. The head of the dog is broad and big and the short, smooth coat can be of various shades, with breeders trying to achieve a single color of light tan and with no white. Their coats can also be red, different shades of brown and brindle.

The dog has a black facial mask and the eyes are brown with the ears being of medium length and floppy. The Boerboel’s tail has always been docked, but today breeders are keeping the tail long. Many Boerboel lovers object to this, saying it detracts from the distinctive look of the Boerboel.

Temperament

The Boerboel can be a wonderfully loyal and loving pet to their owners. They are territorial dogs and suspicious of strangers. This is a dog where it is imperative that they receive training and socialization as a puppy. They have leanings towards being aggressive so they wouldn’t be recommended to first time dog owners, unless of course the first time owners are firm and strong.

Boerboels raised the right way can be gentle giants. They often get bad publicity as regards to aggression, but this is because of they way they have been raised. Boerboels have been bred to be tough and fearless and they make excellent watchdogs. When raised and trained correctly, they make awesome, devoted companions, even around children and other pets.

The Picardy Spaniel is larger than other spaniels. It is described as a medium sized dog, standing at 56 – 61cm in height and weighing between 20 and 25 kilograms. The body of the spaniel is squarely built and muscular body. The dog has long floppy ears and the coat which is shortish in areas except for feathering around the legs and belly can vary in colour from red to chestnut brown to sandy and chocolate. The tail is long and feathered.

Temperament:

The Picardy Spaniel is a docile breed of dog and makes a great family pet, loving being playful with the children in the home and getting on well with other dogs. He is gentle but sociable and intelligent too and is easy to train and socialize.

Although he has been used as a hunting dog he can slot into life in the city or the countryside. He can be indoors or outdoors and still be happy, so long as his family members are close by.

He is an active dog though, and won’t be content to be sitting around for too long, loving nothing more than to be chasing a ball or going for a walk with you.

A well trained, socialized Boerboel makes a splendid pet. This is one breed known to have excellent guard- and watch dog characteristics. Boerboels are known for being protective when necessary. When not on guard, they make wonderful pets. He’ll need plenty of exercise, but he loves to also spend time indoors with his human family.

This a a bold, fearless dog who becomes devoted to his family. With the right training he is obedient and affectionate and knows how to behave appropriately indoors- and outdoors. For such a big dog, the African Boeboel’s temperament can be surprisingly gentle and affectionate around the family that he loves.

The Picardy Spaniel is a docile dog who forms strong bonds with his human family.

He doesn’t gel easily with strangers though, but socialization and training will at least make him well behaved among strangers.

A well-mannered Picardy Spaniel is a joy in the home, and this gentle dog is guaranteed to make you the most wonderfully loyal and loving pet and companion.

Many health problems experienced with any dog are found in the way dogs are fed, the way they are exercised and the way they are attended to when they are ill. Boerboels are healthy dogs and suffer fewer health defects than most similar breeds. The average life expectancy of a Boerboel is about 10 to 12 years. There are one or two health issues you’ll want to watch out for with your Boerboel.

Hip dysplasia

This aliment is typically found in large breed dogs. It’s a problem caused by a malformation of the hip joint. Over time hip dysplasia causes discomfort, pain and even arthritis and lameness. It is genetically inherited, with its severity being influenced by environmental factors. There are treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and make the dog more comfortable.

Obesity

The Boerboel has plenty of muscle mass, and because he is such a large dog with a big appetite, he can lean towards obesity. Plenty of activities will be imperative to maintain muscle mass and ward off obesity. Over-eating suppresses the immune system, so over-feeding your dog simply contributes to ill health.

Without any major health issues, your Picardy can reach 14 years of age and possibly even older. A couple of common dog conditions to be on the watch for include:

Ear Infections:

Your beautiful Picardy Spaniel has floppy ears and this opens up the tendency to suffer with ear infections. The inside of the ears are moist and hot and you as the dog owner can try to keep the inside of the ear clean and dry.

He is a dog that loves water too, and swimming encourages dampness. If you prefer not to work on the inside of the ears, dog groomers or your vet can clean the ears for you. An ear infection can be painful for your pet and it will require veterinary intervention.

Obesity:

These are dogs which can pick up weight quite easily. Dogs which are overweight are more prone to developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease, not to mention joint problems.

Other problems to look out for include cancer, bloat, dental disease and parasites.

Grooming

Boerboels are a robust breed and their short hair doesn’t shed heavily. Your Boerbul will require a thorough brushing twice a week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Boerboels, just like any other dog, should have their teeth brushed regularly to prevent tartar and plaque build-up. Left unattended, your pet can battle with tooth decay and gum disease.

Feeding

Your Boerboel puppy will need ‘large breed puppy’ dog food. Speak to your veterinarian about wet- or dry kibble choices. An adult Boerboel will certainly need raw meat in his diet. When you do research, you find that the best Boerboel breeders are advocates for raw feeding. Home made food with rice, vegetables and meat as well as the best quality commercially manufactured dog foods for large breeds are excellent choices but raw meat is imperative as part of every dog’s diet.

Grooming:

Your Picardy has a thick coat which sheds and the coat should be brushed at least twice a week to prevent matting. The ears of the Picardy Spaniel require special attention. Because they are long they will need to be cleaned and kept dry otherwise an ear infection can develop.

At the same time, check your pet over for ticks and fleas, check his eyes, keep the nails trimmed, and check inside his mouth for rotting teeth which can be the source of many health problems if left untreated.

Feeding your Picardy:

If you have a puppy, you will need to provide 4 bowls of food in a 24 hour period. Check on the directions provided on the food packaging to see how much to feed your puppy.

By the time your Picardy is one year of age, he can move over to 2 bowls of food a day. Only the highest quality commercially manufactured food will be good enough for your dog. Food and its quality impacts the health and longevity of your pet.

Apart from dry kibble, try and provide some home-made food, keeping it as simple as possible. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent foods. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots added to the kibble now and then will thrill your pet. Occasionally you can also add in some raw meat.

Avoid feeding your dog things like coffee, chocolates, popcorn, nuts and onions as all these will just upset your dog's digestive system. The secret is to keep things simple and nutritious.

Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, cool water.